Rule Changes 2017 - 2018

Rule 1-13-2: The coaching box shall
be outlined outside the side of the court on which the scorer's and timer's
table and team benches are located. The area shall be bounded by a line drawn 28
feet from the end line towards the Division line. At this point a line drawn
from the sideline toward the team bench becomes the end of the coaching box
going towards the end line.

Rationale: The restriction of the
coaching box penalizes the level of communication between coach and player.
Allowing a coach freedom to move within the new box between the 28’ mark and
the end line provides a coach more access to coach his/her players.

Rule 2-9-1: When a foul occurs, an
official shall signal the timer to stop the clock. The official shall verbally
inform the offender, then with finger(s) of two hands, indicate to the
scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

Rationale: To minimize foul
reporting errors, that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers when
the information gets lost in the translation. Two handed reporting is easier
for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend in addition to being less confusing.

Rule 3-4-1d: There are no
color/design restrictions in the area of the team jersey from the imaginary
line at the base of the neckline to the top of the shoulder and in the
corresponding area on the back of the jersey. There are restrictions on what
identifying names may be placed in this area (see Article 3-4-4).

Rationale: Provide guidance on the
forthcoming restrictions for this area of the jersey.

Rule 3-4-4: Identifying name(s)
shall adhere to the following:

a. If used, lettering with school name, school’s
nickname, school logo, player’s name and /or abbreviation of the
official school name shall be placed horizontally on the jersey.
b. The panel in the shoulder area of the jersey on the back may be used for
placing an identifying name as well.

Rationale: Provide guidance to
persons purchasing uniforms in determining what wording should go onto the
jersey.

Rule 4-48 NEW: Warning for
Coach/Team ConductA warning to a coach/team for
misconduct is an administrative procedure by an official, which is recorded in
the scorebook by the scorer and reported to the Head Coach:

Art. 1 . . . For conduct, such as that described in rule
10-5-1a,b,d,e,f; 10-5-2; 10-5-4 the official shall warn the head coach unless
the offense is judged to be major, in which case a technical foul shall be
assessed. Note: A warning is not required prior to calling a technical foul.

Art. 2 . . . For the first violation of rule 10-6-1, the official shall warn
the head coach unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case a
technical foul shall be assessed. Note: A warning is not required prior to
calling a technical foul.

Rationale: Stopping play and making
sure that the bench and the coach know that an official warning has been given,
sends a clear message to everyone in the gym and impacts the behavior of the
coach, and in some cases the behavior of the opposing coach. This change in
behavior creates a better atmosphere and many times avoids the need to
administer a technical foul.